Isaac softened his gaze but stared intently at her. He was suspicious about the one-eighty in Delilah’s attitude, but chose to leave it alone for now. He thought that she was bursting through the door with concern for the princess and wondering if she was alright.

To see her more worried about the distribution of power above all else, it ticked him off.

“Since I’m leaving the fate of your maid to the princess’ discretion,” He started. “It is not I who you should be asking for a transfer of the case. You’ll have to ask her yourself.”

That was not an answer she wanted to hear, “But your majesty-!”

“Maybe I’ve been neglectful for far too long, my empress. You seem to have your hands tied with a myriad of matters that something as serious as this was able to slip through the cracks. I can take over all that resides for my daughter while you tend to your sons.”

Her face contorted. If that were to happen, she can’t keep Genevieve in check. That means her attempts to keep the princess weak and frail will go out the window. In her head, she needs to keep jurisdiction for all things that regard her.

It’s the only way to secure the throne for her own sons, specifically Dominic.

Instead of giving the emperor a reason, she swiftly closed her fan and curtsied, “My apologies if it seemed as though I stepped out of line, your majesty. I would never take it to heart if you prefer to take care of Princess Genevieve how you see fit.”

She faked a few tears, “I simply wish to right the wrongs my ignorance has committed. If it is as you say, I’ll go over to the princess at once and beg for forgiveness. It hurts my heart to know that something vile infiltrated the palace and caused harm to someone as lovely as she.”

She made herself look pitiful, “No, I should beg Angie for forgiveness as well. Genevieve is her child, and I’m trampling all over her legacy…”

For some reason, when Empress Delilah brought up the late Empress Angelica’s name, it made Isaac’s blood boil. As sincere as she may seem, there was a tone that lingered in the back of her throat that he didn’t like.

Isaac closed his eyes, “If you truly don’t wish to trample over the late empress’ legacy, I suggest you go do just that. If I do recall correctly, Sir Nate Bulliard should be at the knight’s training grounds with her as we speak.”

Training grounds…?

In an instant, her mock tears dried up, “Why would our darling princess be there and not in bed?”

Ephraim coughed to bring attention to himself, “Pardon me, your majesties. Princess Genevieve asked for simple stamina training since it’s unhealthy to be stuck in bed all day. She hoped for Sir Nate to guide her and his majesty allowed it.”

He…He allowed it…?!

She silently shook in rage, “She shouldn’t be out and about like this, especially with someone like Sir Nate. How could you allow this to happen, your majesty?”

Isaac sighed, “She doesn’t have magical affinity. She will be safe with him as long as she sticks to stamina-related training.”

Delilah balled her fist at her side, “I see, if that’s what you believe to be the right course of action, then it cannot be helped.”

She swiftly turned her back to them, “Please excuse me, I must go see how the princess is faring in the training grounds. Hopefully, Sir Nate isn’t going overboard like he always did…”

The sentence struck a chord with Ephraim but he kept his composure as she left the room. The door slammed hard. Ephraim looked towards the emperor, who kept his eyes closed, hiding his true emotions.

“Sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice,” Isaac said, flatly.

Ephraim flinched, “It was a good idea at the time, your majesty. There’s no reason to mull over it now.”

“Are you implying that it’s no longer a good idea, Sir Ephraim?”

“How would I dare imply upon your wisdom, your majesty?” Ephraim bowed, sweat appearing on his cheek.

“And here I thought you would think otherwise…” Isaac mumbled to himself.

Ephraim caught it and was confused, standing straight, “I don’t think I understand, your majesty.”

“Forget it.” Isaac got up from his seat. “Come with me, Sir Ephraim.”

“Huh?” He blinked. “Pardon me, your majesty, but you still have some documents to look over and sign. Where are we going?”

“I should be a good father and check on my only daughter,” Isaac said, walking towards the door.

Ephraim raised an eyebrow. Is he worried about the princess? She’s with Sir Nate…

He looked at the papers on the emperor’s desk, “Those documents are incredibly important. I’ll hold onto them while we make our way to the training grounds.”

“They’re confidential. It’s not like we can discuss those matters outside of this room.”

“As it may be, your majesty, it’s the sole reason why I’m taking it with me in the first place.”

Isaac was already making his way out of the office, “As you wish. Be sure that it stays on your person at all times. One wrong move and it will spell panic.”

Ephraim had already collected the documents. “As you wish, your majesty.”

—

Veronica was sprawled out on the ground in a cold sweat. Above her was the popup window, and Sir Nate looking down nervously, albeit sternly.

Objectives:

Run 1 lap around the training grounds for 7 days

2/7

Do 5 push ups for 7 days

1/7

Do 5 sit ups for 7 days

1/7

Do deep breathing exercises for 5 minutes for 7 days

2/7

Eat a hearty meal for 7 days

1/7

If it weren’t for Bailey and Neila being found so quickly yesterday, she would have gotten done with her push ups and sit ups. Now she’s one day late to finishing up her very first quest. She was a little annoyed over it. At the same time, she was relieved that the progress didn’t reset everything.

At the far corner of Veronica’s peripherals, the two brunette sisters watched quietly. She told them to stay nearby but not to interrupt the training regimen. Even if it looked like Veronica was about to collapse, she stood firm.

A student like her brings tears into an instructor's eyes…

…especially Nate, “Princess, you’re still not breathing correctly.”

Veronica was trying to catch her breaths, “I’m resting, Sir Nate…”

“Even as you rest, breathe correctly. The sooner you do so, you’ll start doing it effortlessly, even as you keep up with your training.”

It’s really hard to do so when it feels like the wind is knocked out of me… She twitched. Curse this weak body…

Veronica flinched, adjusting her head over to the girls. Neila acted worried, possibly overhearing her thoughts. It was a good thing that she stopped herself. She didn’t need her overhearing about how this body wasn’t even hers.

…of mine… Veronica sighed. Curse this weak body of mine…

It wasn’t even hard objectives either. Each of these was something she could easily do in her past life. Well, minus the push ups. She was never truly able to get past two.

But now she has to do five. The two hundred-fifty percent increase will cause Genevieve’s arms to give out on her. They already feel like they’re on fire.

She decided to close her eyes for a moment.

A very familiar, and somewhat obnoxious voice, called out to her, “Oh dear, so it’s true that you’re out here, Princess Genevieve!”

Her eyes shot open. She whipped her head over to the direction of the voice. A woman of great regality stood above her, holding a fan very close to her face. Veronica couldn’t see it directly, but her eyes gave away some sort of smugness. Almost as though she was looking down on the firstborn.

The voice reminded her of when she was stuck in that casket. It dripped with pretty words laced with lies.

“She wasn’t my daughter, but I treated her as though she was my own.”

Veronica slowly sat up to get a better look at the snarky woman before her. Her long white hair was in an updo and she held probably the prettiest sky-blue eyes she’s ever seen.

“Guards! Kill her before she swallows us all!”

Alas, it was only her looks that Veronica found to be pretty. It was like re-reading a book that an unpopular teacher forced upon their students.

“She’s chanting! Stop her now!”

But at least a book will tell you about its contents the second you open it. This human-being, if she truly bled the same color as anyone else, hides her true motives with a flick of her wrist and a serpent’s tongue.

“Your Majesty! Get away from that thing!”

She hissed with sweet poetry, “It’s been too long since I’ve last seen you, my dear princess.”

Veronica crossed her legs and bowed her head, “Likewise, Empress Delilah.”